ThedaCare Board Approves New Shawano Hospital

ThedaCare Board Approves New Shawano Hospital

Construction of the new $50 million ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano was approved at the June 18 meeting of the ThedaCare Board of Trustees in Appleton. The new medical center, expected to open in early 2015, will replace the 82-year-old Shawano Medical Center and create a local center for convenient, coordinated health care.

The Shawano Medical Center Foundation previously announced the launch of its new campaign, Living Well Together, in support of the construction of ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano. The Foundation is supporting the campaign with a $250,000 lead gift and a challenge to the community to raise $500,000 in a challenge grant. The Foundation’s goal is to raise $1.5 million for the construction.

In January 2011, Shawano Medical Center integrated with Fox-Valley based ThedaCare, with an agreement that included a commitment to replace the hospital in Shawano. The SMC board formally approved the project on June 3 and forwarded it to the ThedaCare Board of Trustees for consideration.

Dean Gruner, MD, president and CEO of ThedaCare, said after the meeting, “This project is a testament to the drive and determination of the people of Shawano. They came together to build their first hospital more than 80 years ago, and they continue to be visionaries. It’s a true pleasure to be their partner in this project to deliver more convenient and coordinated care to patients and families in Shawano.”

Dorothy Erdmann, Shawano Medical Center CEO, echoed Dr. Gruner’s comments. “Our current hospital building has served this community well. But it was designed for healthcare of the past, and we want to provide health care for the future. It is exciting to think that we can have a positive impact on our community’s health for the next eighty years.” Erdmann said.

The new ThedaCare Medical Center-Shawano will be located at County B and Highway 22 in Shawano, connected to the clinic that currently houses ThedaCare Physicians-Shawano. Its primary design inspiration is patient-focused and wellness-based health care for individuals and families. The Boldt Co. of Appleton is the project’s general contractor and construction manager and HGA Architects and Engineers of Milwaukee is the architect.

Site preparation will begin in July. The Big Dig, an event to celebrate the beginning of construction, is set for July 11. A ceremony at 12:30 p.m. will be followed by a chance to sit in and operate some ground-moving machinery until 3 p.m. The public is invited.

Shawano Medical Center is a nonprofit hospital in Shawano. It serves 35,000 people in Shawano, Menominee, and surrounding counties. Shawano Medical Center includes a critical-access (25-bed) hospital, Rehabilitation Services, and Sports Medicine.

ThedaCare™ is a community health system consisting of five hospitals: Appleton Medical Center, Theda Clark Medical Center, New London Family Medical Center, Shawano Medical Center, and Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. ThedaCare also includes ThedaCare Physicians, ThedaCare Behavioral Health, ThedaCare At Work, and ThedaCare at Home. ThedaCare is the largest employer in Northeast Wisconsin with more than 6,175 employees. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.